Wednesday, January 11, 2012

This is a (somewhat) review but mostly a blabfest of how much I am enjoying this Pelikan M1005 Demonstrator with a fine nib. I should warn you: there are a lot of pictures. In fact, this is mostly a pen porn post.

Hello pretty girl.

This special edition fountain pen is the clear demonstrator version of the Pelikan M1000 Souverän series.
The demonstrator shows off Pelikan’s patented differential piston
mechanism, originating in 1929. It has been around for quite some time
now and has remained a success to this day. Now you can watch (and feel)
how very smooth this mechanism is when you are filling your pen with
ink.

I knew going into this that I very well could be
disappointed by the packaging. Sure enough, I was. I opened up
the cardboard box it came in. It was certainly a prettied up version of a
cardboard box - more solid, with a clear viewing window through
the top, but it’s still just a cardboard box. I have a Graf Von
Faber-Castell fountain pen that came in a really nice wooden box, which is
what this pen should have come with, given how awesome it is (and its price). However,
more importantly, Pelikan did not skimp on making this demonstrator
awesome!

Overall, I love the appearance of the M1005. It has no
unnecessary elaborate pieces (such as extra curls or knobs on the clip),
and it is well designed with a straightforward, classic shape that will
appeal to most.

The barrel is indeed completely clear, achieved
by an intensive process that ensures there are no color particles in
the production, resulting in a gorgeous, clean, and color-free
demonstrator. You can see all the pieces moving, ink levels, and even
the little bubbles of air. This pen is a piece of art. Furthermore, it
is a monster of a pen. I knew it was going to be big when I ordered it
but when I actually got a hold of it and started writing, I was blown
away by its size. It is without a doubt the largest pen and nib I’ve
ever written with.

As for the piston mechanism - it’s not only
cool to watch in action, but it also glides effortlessly. So far, it has
not gotten stuck on me, and when I pushed some ink through, it didn’t
stick then pop, giving me a giant blob of ink (like what happens with my
Noodler’s Ahab, which I know is a completely different pen class, but
still).

Inked with J. Herbin Vert Olive

The
whopper of a nib is hand crafted and is 18-karat gold and rhodium plated to
give the pen an overall silver and transparent appearance that I think
is very attractive. The clip and rings are palladium plated to match the
nib. Being such a large and soft nib, it does write bigger and wetter
than most fountain pens. I ordered a fine and it writes like the medium
nibs found on my other pens. I was aware the nib had some semi-flexing
properties so I wanted to go small so when it flexed, it wouldn’t put
down lines that were too wide for writing letters and such. Writing with this soft nib is like writing with
melting butter - no skipping, no blobbing. You can’t write too fast if
you’re flexing because it will draw a lot of ink and you can’t move too
quickly when the pen needs that much ink. Patience is key. It is
drool-worthy and to die for.

Users who prefer nibs that give
feedback and write tougher and harder probably won't like this nib. But
remember, for a nib to be this creamy, buttery, and velvety smooth, the
materials going into it have to be exceptional. It’s a
quality product.

In Leuchtturm 1917 medium notebook with dots (obviously)

In hand, at 34 g, it feels like a solid, heavy
pen. The nib feels like it can easily handle a
heavy hand. The weight tends towards the back because of the brass
piston and when posted, it's even heavier back there. This didn't bother me, even with
my average-sized female hands...I think they're average anyway. Everything comes together so well - the cap snugly threads closed, it posts smoothly and reassuringly, and nothing feels loose. Despite its solid feel, I am always
cautious. I coddle my pens and try my very hardest to pay attention to
what I’m doing with them so I don’t accidentally drop them.

I also realized something that is not significant and I'm sure everyone else already knows this but... have you ever noticed that the clip, when facing you, is the face and bill of a pelican?! This is a genius product move, and one that makes me a sucker for Pelikans more than I am already.

Do you see the pelican?!

Concerns?

I
haven't tried any dark inks yet, but I wonder about inks that may
stain. It would be a shame to have this beauty tainted with leftover ink
so, unless you are a devoted and accomplished fountain pen cleaner,
perhaps stick to lighter inks without iron gall properties! Despite this
concern, I am madly in love with this pen and want to put all sorts of
inks in it to gaze at.

While many have objected to the limited
range of nibs available for this pen, it was not a problem for me
because I knew I wanted a rhodium fine nib and not a BB/BBB or stub
(which you really could get and replace yourself, it would just not be
rhodium... unless you really wanted to pay for some custom work).

Why did I pick this pen?

Well,
it’s quite simple. I had no demonstrators in my collection, and for me,
once I laid eyes on this pen, I knew it was “the one”. I was taken by
its elegant beauty and couldn’t stop picturing how saucy my inks would
look in it! Plus, a big nib with semi-flex was too appealing. I love
flex nibs.

This beauty is handmade in Germany and there’s only a
few left out there so if you want one, don’t hesitate! If you can’t
find the nib you want in the rhodium, you can always use the Pelikan
M1000 two-tone nibs.

How is this pen improving my life?

I know. I sound so dramatic. But I'm not kidding, this pen
is improving my life. I look forward to having the time to sit at my
table, pull out some Rhodia,
and writing with tails and curls. I swear, this pen is infused with
creativity and when I touch it, it diffuses into my fingers through a
concentration gradient. Remember this from science? To achieve
equilibrium, things will move from an area of high concentration to an
area of low concentration? Well, I am the area of low concentration of creativity.

This pen makes me feel inspired to write and it's an absolute joy to write with. The whole experience puts a big, stupid grin on my face. I love holding it, watching the ink in it, shining lights through the ink in the barrel, and seeing what I can create on paper. And then pretending I am awesome.

This
is the first Pelikan I've owned and tried, so please take my
praise with a grain of salt. I know demonstrators are not
everyone's favorite but remember I am also talking about the
pen's performance here! I was able to acquire this pen for $550.00 and
I'm really happy with it! It is indeed a costly pen... although by no means
the most expensive fountain pen out there. It is a beautiful work of
art in a simple and elegant way. It performs very well and given that I
am partial to soft nibs because of their ability to flex a little, I am
thrilled with the writing experience. Ultimately, as with all fountain
pens, whether you are interested in this pen or not comes down to
whether or not it is aesthetically appealing to you, and if you enjoy
the writing experience. After all, that is what fountain pens are all
about!